Nottingham Forest will look to spend big to improve Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in the summer, but one previously-linked talent will be available for absolutely nothing.
Forest’s summer priority is a striker, but there will be room for improvements across the board in the transfer window to ensure Espírito Santo has a squad capable of competing in Europe as well as the Premier League.
Already, the Reds have been linked with other positions, as Forest have shown interest in Andreas Pereira to provide another option in Morgan Gibbs-White’s role.
Further back, left-back Adrien Truffert has been linked with Forest to support Neco Williams. All of these deals will cost, though, so the news of an England international being available on a free will be particularly interesting to Evangelos Marinakis.
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Angel Gomes announces departure from Lille
Midfield conductor Angel Gomes has been loosely linked with Forest in the past, largely due to Gomes and Gibbs-White being friends.
Gomes and Anthony Elanga are also close which made Forest fans excited about the potential of making a move for the 24-year-old, who has just announced his departure from French side Lille.
In an emotional farewell post on Instagram, Gomes said: ‘After four unforgettable years at LOSC Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye. This club has been more than just a team — it’s been a family, a home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch.
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“[…] I always gave everything I had for the badge and for all of you. Lille will always have a special place in my heart.”
His connection with the club is evident, but his talent has caught the eye of plenty of top sides, meaning that the Forest owner would have to move fast to secure him. Swift action could well be worth it, though, as Gomes could make the perfect midfield partner for Elliot Anderson.
Angel Gomes would provide the missing link in Forest’s midfield
Ibrahim Sangare has been impressing Forest fans in recent weeks but in terms of Forest’s midfield, nobody has quite managed to hold down a spot next to Anderson this season.
This is exactly where Gomes could fit in, though, with his strengths complementing his fellow English midfielder’s perfectly.
Statistic Angel Gomes (23/24 season)
Passes received per 90 55.62
Progressive passes per 90 1.72
Dispossessed per 90 0.53
Miscontrols per 90 0.91
Angel Gomes is incredible in possession
What Anderson offers the Forest squad is incredible energy and action, which would combine perfectly with Gomes’ reliable brilliance on the ball.
Gomes received 55.62 passes per game last season, showing that he readily makes himself available in possession. Once he has the ball, he simply doesn’t lose it, only being dispossessed 0.53 times per 90 and miscontrolling the ball just 0.91 times per game.
Anderson has been hailed by pundits this season for what he has provided Forest, and his strengths would only be supported by what Gomes can offer.